What is corrective jaw surgery?
Corrective jaw surgery, also called orthognathic surgery, moves the upper jaw, the lower jaw or both into a better position so the teeth can meet properly, and it often improves the balance of the face too.
It is done under general anaesthetic in a hospital, where Dr Kuchu works as a visiting consultant maxillofacial surgeon, and the planning and follow-up happen at the clinic.
How do you know if it is the teeth or the jaws?
From records rather than from looking. Photographs, X-rays and scans show how the jaws sit in relation to each other and to the rest of the face, and the orthodontist and the surgeon look at them together.
Mild jaw differences can sometimes be disguised with braces alone, by tilting the teeth to compensate. Larger ones cannot be corrected that way without the result looking or working wrong. Where your case falls is a judgement made on your records, and it is worth asking to have it explained.
Who is it usually for?
People whose lower jaw is noticeably forward or back, whose face is visibly uneven, or whose front teeth do not meet at all when they bite down. Some people come because biting and chewing are difficult, and some cases of obstructive sleep apnoea are treated this way.
It is usually planned once the jaws have stopped growing, because operating while they are still growing can mean the problem returns.
What does the whole process look like?
It is a long treatment, measured in months, and the surgery is only one part of it. Braces usually come first, often for many months, to line the teeth up for where the jaws will end up rather than where they are now.
Then the surgery, then a period of healing, then more orthodontic work to settle the bite. It is not a quick treatment, and it is worth knowing that from the start.
What is recovery like?
Expect swelling of the face for some weeks, a soft diet for a while, and time off work or college. How long depends on what was done, whether one jaw or both, and how your own healing goes, so it is something to plan with the surgeon before the date is fixed rather than after.
Numbness of the lip or chin is common after lower jaw surgery. It often improves with time, though not always completely, and it is one of the things worth discussing in detail beforehand.
Who plans it at STHIRA?
The surgery is planned and carried out by Dr Bhargav Kuchu, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, together with the orthodontist who manages the braces before and after. His profile covers his training in this area.
The clinic is in Rai Durg, near Gachibowli. With a treatment this long, being able to get to the reviews easily makes a real difference.
Our corrective jaw surgery page lays out each stage and where it takes place.
Common questions
Can braces fix a jaw problem without surgery?
Sometimes, for mild differences, by tilting the teeth to compensate. Larger differences in jaw position cannot be corrected by braces alone, which is when corrective jaw surgery is considered.
How long does corrective jaw surgery treatment take?
It is measured in months. Braces usually come before and after the surgery, and the total length depends on the case.
Is corrective jaw surgery done under general anaesthetic?
Yes. It is done in a hospital under general anaesthetic, not in the dental clinic.
At what age can jaw surgery be done?
It is usually planned once the jaws have finished growing, so that the correction is not undone by later growth.